Edwin Eugene Aldrin, Sr., known as Gene, was born in 1896. He attended Clark University, graduating in 1915. There, he studied under Robert Goddard, who encouraged Aldrin's interest in aviation. The professor and his former student stayed close. Aldrin Sr. married Marion Moon and they later had a son and a daughter.

Edwin E. Aldrin, Sr. became a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and made the first transatlantic dirigible round trip in the Hindenburg. He later became an oil executive. He passed away at the age of 78.